"Music is one thing that everybody has... Before kids learn the alphabet in preschool, they sing... It's something we certainly have in common. Music gives us a model for a shared love that we can experience together in other things as well."Thomas Schmidt was cantor at St Peter's Lutheran Church in New York City for 25 years until his retirement two years ago. The musical repertoire that he incorporated there ran the gamut from Gregorian and Russian chant to choral masterpieces of every age, including contemporary composers, spirituals and gospel music. As part of his work at St Peter's he wrote a substantial amount of liturgical music as well as works for choir and small choral ensembles. The musical high point of the year was always the singing of Bach's St Matthew Passion on Good Friday. Before his time at St Peter's he was a professor in the music department of Concordia College, Bronxville, NY, for 20 years. In addition, as a professional pianist he toured with the Arden Trio for 25 years and made a number of CDs. He is presently pianist of the Omni Quartet. He has been an active member of ALCM and the AGO, serving as a board member of the ALCM and organist and workshop presenter at various conferences. Musical Excerpts:Frédéric Chopin Prelude E minorSamuel Barber Excursions, Movement IIITo learn more about Holden Village, visit: www.holdenvillage.org or to listen to more audio recordings visit: http://audio.holdenvillage.orgTo contact the podcast author, podcast@holdenvillage.org
